A California man has pleaded guilty to unwittingly selling bank accounts to Russians meddling in the U.S. elections.
Richard Pinedo of Santa Paula pleaded guilty earlier this month to using stolen identities to set up bank accounts that were then used by the Russians. A Justice Department spokeswoman says Pinedo did not know at the time he was dealing with Russians.
The plea deal is the third in special counsel Robert Mueller’s continuing Russia probe. It was revealed the same day prosecutors charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with an extensive scheme to meddle in the U.S. elections.
READ MORE:
- Mueller probe indicts 13 Russian nationals for meddling in 2016 elections
- Read the full indictment of 13 Russian nationals for 2016 election interference
- A Russian propaganda group purchased ads on Facebook during the 2016 election. Here’s what that means.
- Why are Russian trolls spreading online hoaxes in the U.S.?
- Inside Russia’s propaganda machine
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